Context and Theories - Romeo +Juliet

During the Elizabethan era, very few Englis people would have been able to visit Italy, so would have little knowledge on what life is like there.

Italy is the perfect country to set the story in because it is linked to many classical stories and myths due to the Romans. This means that it is a very effective setting for storieds of dramatic romance and violence.

Italy was also a Catholic country during this period, however England was in religious turmoil (a state of uncertainty or disruption) and lots of fighting occured in England - this is mirrored by the feud between the Capulets and the Montagues.

In the play, Shakespeare uses dramatic, verbal and situational irony.

Dramatic irony is when the audience knows something the characters do not.

An example is when Romeo thinks Juliet is dead when he sees her in the tomb, however the audience know Juliet is actually just asleep and is faking her death.

Verbal irony is when someone speaking means something different from what the actually say.

For example, Juliet says to her mother "I will not marry yet" even though she is already married to Romeo.

Situational irony is when the opposite happens of what's expected to happen.

An example is how Romeo goes to the Capulet party to see Rosaline, but instead he meets Juliet and falls in love with her.

In the Elizabethan Era...

• Adults chaperoned children at all times.
• Parents arranged marraiges - they did not get given an option.
• Girls got married as soon as 12 years old and had children soon after.
• Nurses often raised the children in upper class families.
• People believed that betraying family was like betraying God.
• Women could not own any money or property and had no rights.
• All family members had to do as the father said.
• Children were considered the property of the father, and could be married off to any partner they choose; often, partners were chosen for political or financial reasons.

Religion

• Italy was a catholic country at this time, who had a strong belief in damnation and mortal sin.
• Contemporary audiences may have felt some sympathy for Romeo and Juliet, but mainly judged them for comitting many sins throughout the play. For example, they believed going against parents was sinful, and both children get married without parental consent and Juliet already had a suitor picked for her.
• People believed suicide was a mortal sin, so the audience believes that Romeo and Juliet must have been truly in love to risk being condemned to hell by comitting suicide.
• Bigamy (marrying someone before youu already married) is also a sin, which could be another reason Juliet was so terrified when her father brought the wedding forward - she didn't want to go to hell.

Many people believed in the power of fate during the Elizabethan era - they thought that stars influenced/predicted human events.

In tragedy, fate is often seen as a cruel force taht brings about misery for the characters.

Romeo and Juliet revolves around the idea of fate...

• The prologue shows how the pair are destined to fall in love.
• In Act 1, Romeo has a feeling that going to the Capulet party will cause his downfall and death.
• In Act 2, Juliet forsees Romeo's death.
• Romeo also dreams how Juliet will find Romeo dead.